October 2024 – Page 2

Pay Attention

Life often speaks in whispers at the beginning, it stomps its feet if you don’t listen and it screams to get your attention when you’re heading towards a head-on collision. Through it all, it has your back and is on your side if only you are willing to pay attention to what it has to say. And that is the hard part.

“Consider for a moment what you pay attention to all day long. What seems important to you, what do you take for granted and hardly attend to at all? Write it down. Do not judge your answers. Be honest and simple. As you keep track all week long, you’ll be amazed at what claims your attention what you give your precious life force to.” Brenda Shoshanna

The truth is as “humans” we march to our own drumbeat. We see what is not good for us, we know it spells trouble and we know if we keep going down that path, it will take us to exactly where we don’t want to go BUT we are hell-bent on doing it anyway. Are we wired for destruction, is that what we seek? At times, it seems that way but luckily for us, life comes in and shows us the way out but only if we pay attention.

“Pay attention to the signs. Stop making excuses for people. Stop defending their inconsiderate ways. Start taking care of you and your own needs.” Unknown

I do that all the time. Make excuses for inconsiderate people that is BUT there comes a point in time when I say enough is enough and then I shut the door behind me but unfortunately, it is always a day late and a dollar short. I’ve learned my lessons the hard way but most of us do. Don’t ask me why but we just do. Do we get a thrill out of pain? I don’t know but not paying attention when life is screaming seems to be the problem.

When we don’t pay attention to love, it has a tendency to bring us down to our knees and then we ask what happened? We know exactly why. The answers have been staring us in the face even before the collision happened.

Pay Attention To Her:

When a woman is “tripping” she cares, when a woman is “mad” she believed in you and you let her down, when she is “asking questions” she is trying to gain clarity, when she is “quiet” and letting things slide she is giving up….And when she is not doing all of the above…just know you have lost a good woman.” Unknown

AND

“Sometimes you have to put aside what you feel for them, and PAY ATTENTION to what their actions are saying they feel for you.”

Finally, paying attention seems to be the key to a better life, better relationships and a better way through the intricate maze we call life. Pay attention to the signs before it is too late. Not easy to do as always but there is no other way it seems.

Listen to the wind, it talks.

Listen to the silence, it speaks.

Listen to your heart, it knows. Native American Proverb

Have An Amazing Day

Positivity

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

This is a hard one because “positivity” is almost a foreign word in our vocabulary. The thing that comes to mind first and foremost are all the negatives we can drum up but looking for the positive is really hard to do.

How often do we get up in the mornings and the first thing that occupies our mind is all the stuff that went wrong yesterday and the outcome of that negativity facing us today. It could have been something small, something inconsequential but to us it is now a monster problem that is going to take up most of today if we let it. We love playing it over and over, adding to it and blowing it up into something unmanageable. Truth be told, all it takes is changing that negative mindset into a positive one and to say, “I CAN DO THIS!” Show up with a positive attitude and let the day takes its course. Not that simple but the other alternative is the one that is going to take you down the rabbit hole and keep you there and you don’t want that.

Here are a few positive quotes to get you on the way. Read, embrace and put them into practice.

“When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond.

That’s where your power is.” Unknown

“Beautiful things happen when you distance yourself from negativity.” Unknown

“What’s on your mind becomes what’s in your life, so think the thoughts you want to see.” BoomSumo.com

“You don’t drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there.” Ed Cole

This is a really good one. Most times we stand still and wallow in our misery. Moving is the key here.

“Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.” Unknown

“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” Willie Nelson

“Staying positive doesn’t mean you have to be happy all the time. It means that even on hard days you know that there are better ones coming.” Unknown

“Stay positive! The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude.” Unknown

That is the absolute unvarnished truth!

“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” Brene Brown

And this is often the hardest to do.

“Don’t forget that you’re human. It’s okay to have a melt down. Just don’t unpack and live there. Cry it out and then refocus on where you are headed.” Unknown

Remember my “All That Baggage” post? Been there, done that and moving on!

I love this one below.

“Just for the record darling, not all positive change feels positive in the beginning.” S. C. Laurie

Ever been in a situation that seemed totally negative at first but turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to you? I’ve lived through many of those moments, cried my heart out but in the end it turned out for the best. Be brave enough to embrace the challenges and let it show you the way. Life knows what it is doing even if you don’t.

TODAY I WILL:

Stay positive

Learn & Grow

Worry Less

Say Kind Words

Laugh More

Choose Love

Believe in Myself

AND

LET GO OF NEGATIVITY

You’re on the way!

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY!

Start Your Day Right

These days I’m obsessed with doing it right. Everything that has to do with my well-being comes first and I’m proactive as far as what it takes to have a clear and focused mind, what it means to leave the stress behind and what is needed to forge my way forward.

Walking, working out, positive thinking, breathing for all I’m worth, eating right and meditating all play a big role in my daily existence. It helps in keeping my sanity intact as well!

During one of my searches for doing it better, I came across these three sentences which got me thinking. Do they hold the key to longevity and a better life? I’m not really sure but they seem to hold the promise of directing you in the right direction and to help in dealing with life’s challenges.

Think of one thing you’re grateful for.

According to http://www.helpguide.org, “Gratitude involves showing appreciation for the things in life that are meaningful or valuable to you. Taking a moment to notice and acknowledge the things you’re grateful for each day can brighten your outlook, boost your mood, and help you feel more positive in the face of challenges.”

Here are a few examples:

I am grateful for the brand new day.

I am grateful for the warm bed.

I am grateful for the air that I am breathing.

I am grateful for the people I love and who love me back.

Go ahead. Name one thing you are grateful for.

What are you proud of?

There are so many things but here are a few examples taken from “collective world”

Accomplishing things on your own.

Going for a walk when it’s the last thing you feel like doing.

Not giving up even when you really want to.

Getting up in the morning when you are struggling to find a reason to.

Starting habits to better your life and sticking to them.

Being kind when your heart is hurting.

Letting go of toxic people in your life.

Just a few examples to get you started. It’s your turn now. What are you proud of?

Lastly set an intention.

Where are you going today? Are you headed somewhere positive? Setting an intention helps you to find, create, have and experience positivity and it helps you to regain hope.

Some examples are:

Today, I will be kind to myself.

Today, I won’t beat myself up or others.

Today, I will practice self-care.

Today, I will eat healthy things.

Today, I will love myself.

Just a few examples but you get the drift. Make them positive and use them to change your mindset and yourself for the better. You are the one who writes your story, make it a good one.

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY.

Needle in the Haystack!

It’s elusive, it’s invisible and it has a tendency to play games with you but more importantly you may never find it no matter how hard you try.

I met a girlfriend for breakfast a few days ago and since we’re both on the dating circuit, she more than yours truly, our conversation naturally turned to men and their idiosyncrasies. She is less uptight than I am so that needle in the haystack does not need to be just one needle according to her. She claims that she has found a number of them hidden in plain view!

My “needle in the haystack” on the other hand has kept himself well-hidden and has given me the runaround. I thought I had found that special someone some time ago but at closer inspection I found out it was a fake, not a needle at all but something masquerading as that proverbial needle.

Who came up with that idiom anyway? I bet it was an old spinster sitting in some lonely loft somewhere needle in hand when she decided that it was a perfect way to describe her dilemma. Why a needle? Why not a saucer or a cup or something a little bigger and more visible? It would make things a lot easier, let me tell you.

The definition of a needle in a haystack is defined as something which is very difficult or almost impossible to find. It just so happens that is exactly what I’m looking for and it’s exactly the kind of thing I would go for. Easy is not in my vocabulary. However, after several forays into haystacks I’m about ready to give up on this idea. It seems I’m allergic to hay! I’m not looking for Mr. Perfect, some may disagree with that assumption, just someone loyal, caring, trustworthy, soft spoken and easy on the eyes and you’ve got my needle in the haystack down pat.

Since I’ve been on the dating circuit, I’ve met several men. My first date usually turns out this way. We meet for coffee and immediately I have an attitude. I’m silently pondering this question. “Why are you looking at me like YOU ARE the Big Bad Wolf?!! It goes downhill from there. Other times, they are narcissists, control freaks, liars, cheaters and just NOT my type! Get the picture? Maybe I’m just not ready to be out there again. Oh, did I mention I’m a recluse to boot? I LOVE my own company. Someone pointed this fact out to me recently. After several attempts to get me out of my roost, he said, “I think you’d rather be at home or out in the fields all by yourself and that is the impression you give me.” I thought, you might have hit the nail where it belongs.

If that’s not enough of a deterrent, getting to first base with me is like you’re in never never land. It never happens. My girlfriend, on the other hand, has made it all the way through to fourth base many times over and keeps moving easily to the next victim. Did I say victim? Oops, I meant conquest. Whatever rocks her boat but it is just not me which makes life and dating much much harder to do.

Today I took that walk again looking for answers in nature. This time around, I got none. I think nature is getting a little tired of me coming out there looking for something like it is a soothsayer. It was cloudy, grey and not a single thing was moving according to my naked eye but that is besides the point. I walked back home ready to go it alone.

If you ask me there’s no such thing as a needle in a haystack and if there is, why would you hide it in a haystack anyway! The way my luck is going, that needle has moved all the way up the haystack by now and I would need some kind of suction device to get it out!

So as I see it, I might wind up like that spinster I talked about earlier all alone in that loft pining away for a love that never came along. Only I would have bloodied fingers and I would be screaming bloody murder at that ‘whatever’ in the haystack!

“It’s a funny thing about looking for things. If you hunt for a needle in a haystack you don’t find it. If you don’t give a darn whether you ever see the needle or not it runs into you the first time you lean against the stack.”

P G Wodehouse

There might be something there in that quote. I’ll keep you posted, now off to NOT think about that needle and to do something productive for the day.

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY

Grandpa Can’t Dance!

At a town hall meeting in Oaks, Pennsylvania, on Monday, Donald J. Trump decided to cut it short, said to hell with the questions and decided spontaneously to do it the Trump way. He asked his supporters to stay calm and to listen to some of his favorite songs from a rally playlist.

During that meeting, Orange Jesus decided that it would be safer for him not to answer any more questions because the man has no plan only a concept of a plan. So after two medical emergencies which caused interruptions, Grandpa Trump decided to turn it into a “music fest.” He wanted to show everyone there that he was a fun-loving guy and tried to boogie with the best of them but unfortunately the dance moves looked a little constipated and he came off looking like the fool that he is.

His favorite song seemed to be the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A,” as his tan gone wrong face broke into a smile and he did a couple of hand movements as he jived along. It was only 30 minutes into the meeting when the former President decided to make a detour, one of no significance BUT for the time spent answering five questions in total and aiming attacks against VP Kamala Harris. There was no getting him back to the question and answer session because he had decided he wanted a dance party and Orange Jesus always gets what he wants and if doesn’t he would instigate a riot to get it.

After the two medical emergencies, he said, “Let’s not do any more questions. Let’s just listen to music. Let’s make it into a music…..Who the hell wants to hear questions, right? ” Perhaps the unprecedented move suggested that he had everything in the bag and he was now looking at a clear win and an untethered path to the White House and questions were an absolute waste of time as far as he was concerned.

There were several songs played that night but “YMCA” made the man grin. I think the recurrent theme of “Young man” in the song made him feel young again. Biden is out of the race now so that makes Trump the oldest Presidential Nominee in U.S. history. Trump’s septuagenarian status does come into play, dance party or not!

The town hall meeting was bizarre to say the least but more than that, “not quite all there” comes to mind. If you ask me, the man is not only off his rocker but he belongs in it!

There is over three weeks to go until Election Day 2024. Let’s hope Orange Jesus never makes it to the White House again, ruse or not. Fingers and toes crossed!

ALL THAT BAGGAGE

A soft reminder:

“not everything that weighs you down is yours to carry.” Unknown

I’m talking about emotional baggage, the kind that has gathered so much dust but we still carry them around like an albatross around our necks. Everyone has them but some find it easy to let go and to move on. Others lug it around because they love going back there for whatever the reason and than there are those who use it as a “get out of jail free card.” They whip it out as a talking point as to why they are stuck where they’re at and can’t see their way forward.

Most or all of the “emotional baggage” belongs in the past but unresolved issues, anger, sadness, grief or just plain, “I love living in the past” attitude puts it front and center and makes it very much a part of the present.

“Leave your baggage where it belongs. In the past. It has no place in your future.” Unknown

Things happen and oftentimes we have no control over it. It could be a break up or a painful event such as losing a loved one or even situations which cause anger, confusion and absolute disbelief. They happened and there is no changing the outcome but by carrying that baggage around like a well-worn trophy, it is not going to change what took place in the past. It happened and there is no going back. You can only move forwards.

“We all have baggage but there comes a time when you realize it’s time to UNPACK.” Unknown

Here are some examples of emotional baggage:

I’ll never be good enough.

I don’t deserve good things.

Everyone will leave me.

I am angry.

I will never forgive.

I can’t escape my past.

Nobody cares about me!

I hate my life!

I can’t move forward.

I failed.

This is as good as it gets.

Recognize any of them? I DO.

“Emotional baggage refers to “unfinished emotional issues, stressors, pain, and difficulties we’ve experienced that continue to take up space in our minds and affect our present relationships.” http://www.verywellmind.com

The truth is:

“Emotional baggage is heavy, and it’s way too expensive to keep dragging along to all the places that life wants to take you.” Unknown

No, it is not easy to get rid of emotional baggage because we keep filling it up every chance we get. It gets so full sometimes that I can’t zip it up for all the useless stuff that I fill it up with, mostly things that have happened and it is still there for all the reasons I have stated above. It’s time to refocus and discard what no longer serves you.

If you want to get rid of the ‘useless’ you need to do some work. According to http://www.griefworkcenter.com, “Identify what you have actually lost and grieve that which is gone, focus on your strengths that empower you; explore the tasks you need to complete to let go of the overwhelming feelings, and focus on how you have experienced growth because of what happened.”

I can hear one friend saying, “I CAN’T! It seems like only yesterday.” To that friend I say, “The truth is, it’s been more than 10 years. LET IT GO.” You don’t need that “get out of jail free card,” anymore, you have places to go.

AND

“Misery might love company but so does joy, and joy throws much better parties.” Billy Joey

Groundhog’s Day

This particular phenomenon is defined as “a situation in which the same usually negative or monotonous experiences occur repeatedly or are felt to occur repeatedly with no change or correction.”

In the movie, Phil (Bill Murray), a weatherman finds himself trapped in a time warp and he is doomed to relive the same day over and over again UNTIL he gets it right.

“If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.” Peter Drucker

Ever felt like you’re reliving an experience over and over again? I have and it is not only a bad feeling but getting off that roller coaster is sometimes hard to do. I’ve asked myself why am I here again? Did I not work through this already? I thought I was heading towards something better but it is the same old runaround and the same old Deja Vu feeling.

“Life is from the inside out. When you shift on the inside, life shifts on the outside.” Kamal Ravikant

Perhaps that right there is the problem in a nutshell. I did not shift or change from the inside but was just pretending like it had. According to http://www.boro.ac.uk, the reason can be found in the way our “brain processes information and creates templates that we refer to again and again. The templates are essentially shortcuts, which help us make decisions in the real world. They are known as heuristics and they make us repeat our errors.”

Too complicated? I think so too. Another expert had this to say: “the neural pathways are programmed such that every time we remember a past mistake, the brain heads back down the previous pathway.”

Oh God, this is even worse! I don’t want my brain remembering every mistake I made! The goal is to never repeat those mistakes again. However, no matter how hard I try I feel like the proverbial horse being led to drink from a pond I don’t want to. Perhaps, I have no control over the matter because those mistakes have already been pre-programmed into my inner core and there is nothing I can do about it. If that is the case, it is Groundhog’s Day over and over again. How awful is that?!!

It is time to make some drastic changes. The moral of Groundhog’s Day was:

“If you’re tired of reliving the same day repeatedly, something must change – and it’s up to you.”

According to the experts, if you’re finding yourself in “bad” relationships then recognizing “those past relationship mistakes and patterns can make a big difference in your future.” How do you stop making those same mistakes? Are there certain patterns or specific types who are not good for you?

Here are some problem-solvers:

Make small changes. Humans are creatures of habit and therefore comfortable with what is not necessarily good for us. Change doesn’t happen overnight but breaking those negative patterns one piece at a time might lead you in the right direction.

Practice self-care and don’t beat yourself up over mistakes you’ve made. Bad relationships can damage your self-esteem so be extra kind and gentle to yourself. Meditate, exercise, do yoga but more importantly take all that wasted energy and dedicate it to yourself.

Give yourself time to heal – don’t jump into the next relationship, give yourself time to heal.

Then there are three basic attachment styles: Insecure-avoidant, Insecure-anxious and Securely attached. The first two struggle and see themselves as being not enough. Both these types struggle with vulnerability. The Securely-attached might have the same problems as the first two but they embrace their vulnerability and are ready to accept and receive comfort, security and safety which helps to quiet the negative voices within them. Unfortunately, I belong to the first two attachment types. All fine and good but how do I outsmart my brain and get rid of that template which keeps bringing me back to the same place over and over again? I know that this is going to be a long process and a hard journey but I am bent on breaking the cycle. It is time to move on and to get it right!

“You are the author of your own story. If you don’t like where this chapter is going, it’s OK to start a new one.”

BUT, I like this one better.

“Life is tough my darling, but so are you.” Stephanie Bennett Henry

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY

The Lighted Candle

The primary symbolism of candles lies in their ability to illuminate darkness. Candles, with their gentle glow, symbolize the search for truth, clarity and inner illumination. I equate quotes as having the same power. If you listen carefully they open doors, lead you forward and they teach without delivering a sermon.

Some of my all-time favorite quotes come from a blogger who is also the creator of the social media movement “The Single Woman.” She has written many “scathing articles and books and don’t forget quotes about her ex-boyfriend and about his pathological emotional abuse and betrayals. The lady speaks to my heart. Here are some of my favorite quotes written by Mandy Hale.

“Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.”

“Just be yourself. Let people see the real, imperfect, flawed, quirky, weird, beautiful, magical person, that you are.”

And if they can’t handle you, it is their problem not yours.

“Ten years from now, make sure you can say that you chose your life, you didn’t settle for it.”

This one is scary. Sometimes you want to settle because fear takes over but settling means giving up and you are too important for that. Do not settle for less than you want.

“The less you respond to rude, critical, argumentative people, the more peaceful your life will become.”

This one is exhausting. Learning to deal with such people is never easy, add trying to make them see different is like talking to the wall. Let it go and embrace peace.

“You’re actually MORE likely to be single when you have a lot to offer because you’ll realize that most people aren’t worthy of all that greatness.”

I totally agree, well, it is actually a more positive way of looking at it.

“It’s OK to be scared. Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave.”

Fear is my second name but I suppose I have done things to be proud of in spite of it. Brave things? Maybe….

“Confidence is the ability to feel Beautiful without needing someone to tell you.”

Ok this one hit home. I wrote an article yesterday about one of my OFF days and looking like a nightmare in the process. A friend told me later, I can turn all your nightmares into dreams! The problem is I lack confidence so that didn’t do much to get me out of Nightmare land!

Confidence is not:

“They will like me.”

Confidence is:

“I’ll be fine if they don’t.”

“Sometimes our lives have to be completely shaken up, changed and rearranged to relocate us to the place we’re meant to be.”

Been there, done that, many times over. Still looking for the relocation part.

“A person being “too busy” is a myth. People make time for the things that are really important to them.”

This is the absolute truth. No time means YOU are not important.

“If you lost it, it’s because you’re meant to find something better. Trust, let go and make room for what’s coming.”

Doing exactly that but can someone tell me how long this process will take?

“To get over the past, you first have to accept that the past is over, no matter how many times you revisit it, analyze it, regret it, or sweat it….it’s over. It can hurt you no more.”

True but you sure can learn from it and not repeat the same mistakes the next time around.

“You’re beautiful just the way you are. Shine on, and dare anyone to turn off your lights.”

“The only keeper of your happiness is YOU. Stop giving people power to control your smile, your worth and your attitude!”

There you go, perfectly said I might add.

Where are you going today? Are you dealing with negatives or are you heading towards more positive pastures? Let go and move towards the light. Take the candlelight with you and pass it on to someone who really needs it.

Think of one thing you are grateful for. When I first heard this, I had a hard time finding just one little thing. Within a few minutes, I had my basket full! I am grateful for the roof over my head, the warm bed, the beautiful fall day, the food that gave me joy today and the people who are dear to me. Of course, Chachi, the cat is at the top of that list too.

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY

Good Vibes

“One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”

Dictionary.com defines good vibes as a “slang phrase for the positive feelings given off by a person, place or situation.” When good vibes are present you feel positive emotions or rather you radiate trust, love and kindness to those around you.

“A kind word, a genuine smile, and a warm gesture can send the best vibes.” Unknown

I can agree with the genuine smile part. Sharing smiles is a part of my DNA and if we share eye-contact, a smile is the first thing you’ll see before we even exchange a word. There is nothing wrong with sharing a smile with strangers. Who knows you might have changed their day for the better and it didn’t cost anything to do so.

However, today ‘good vibes’ was the furthest thing on my mind. Something didn’t go quite right yesterday and it triggered an emotional response which filled me with agitation and that is putting it mildly. Afterwards, I wanted to make it right but I had to give it time so I tossed and turned all night and woke up with a big chip on my shoulder and not quite ready to blow it off. I have to keep moving to stop the overthinking I told myself. I put on my old sweats, the rattiest I could find to exaggerate how I was feeling, bundled my hair on my head and looking like a nightmare, I decided to do a thorough cleaning of the bedroom especially when I could see the dust bunnies grinning at me daring me to touch them. I got all the necessary stuff ready and a big bowl of water to wipe everything clean. Good vibes at this point was nowhere to be seen! Cleaning was and is not my favorite chore but it was one way to drown out my mind so I got ready to tackle the impossible. Just as I was getting ready to start, Chachi the cat walks in, takes one look at the big bowl of water and looks at me as if to say, “What’s the pool doing in the middle of the room mom?” That was enough to light up my eyes, put a smile on my face and to bring the good vibes rushing back in. Just an example of how little it takes to change the mood in an instant if only you’re ready and willing to let it.

“Let it go. Change the channel. Turn it off. Unsubscribe. Unfriend. Unfollow. Mute. Block. Walk away. Breathe.” Unknown

The day took off on a better note afterwards and I had a clean bedroom to boot. The problem was still there but it didn’t need to fill my whole day and neither did it have the power to destroy my mood, my day and my good vibes. Here are some rules, there are seven of them to help you to get your energy back, to bring oomph back into your life and more than that to put that smile back on your face. It did on mine.

7 RULES of LIFE

Make peace with your past so it won’t disturb your future.

What other people think of you is none of your business.

The person in charge of your happiness is you.

Don’t compare your life to others. Comparison is the thief of joy.

Time heals almost everything. Give it time.

Stop thinking so much. It’s alright not to know all the answers.

SMILE. You don’t own all the problems in the world.

So for today, GOOD VIBES ONLY!

Have an amazing day.

After the Rain

“Sometimes the only way you can get past the rain is to remind yourself that nothing lasts forever and that better and brighter days are coming your way.” Roger Lee

The rain had come and gone, all three days of non-stop heavy showers and intermittent drizzly weather. The ground is soaked and fall had done its job of shaking the leaves from the trees and they lay forming a carpet of rain soaked leaves on the wet ground. Looking up at the trees there are still leaves on the branches, some green and some golden as a reminder that this is not the end of it, there will be more rain to come and there was more work to be done.

“Life’s not about waiting for the storm to pass….It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Vivian Greene

I wish I could dance in the rain again. As a young girl, my greatest joy was to join the ducks in their dirty brown puddles of water and to let my heart sing with joy as the rain beat down on us. The ducks quacked with delight or was it with anger, whatever the case maybe, the human was one with nature. Now that l’m all grown up and should know better, I spent the last three days cuddling my coffee mug in my hand and my head filled with stories to tell. Today the rain had moved on and the sun finally made a showing although weak, it was still beautiful as it caressed my head with warmth. The fields were a mess drenched in water and mud. The narrow rocky path was the only way to go. The breath I took in was clean and smelled of something unfamiliar or it could be that the rain had washed away the staleness and in its place had left a beautiful freshness and all was made new again.

A raucous crow made a loud sound as it made its way to the fields and landed on the ground looking for whatever crows look for. Looking down at the tiny gravel-covered road, I noticed that the sun was doing a number on the road. Long thin strands were glistening like they were holding diamonds in their midst. I stooped to inspect it because it was a beautiful sight as it sparkled and beckoned. I realized that those tiny long strands making circles all over the road were snail slime or rather a kind of mucus produced by snails. Those snail trails help to protect the softer tissues of the snail’s foot as it crawled along but add sunshine to it and the yuckiness turns to magic and I had diamonds sparkling everywhere. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and whoever coined that phrase knew exactly what they were talking about.

“Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.” Langston Hughes

The man had a way with words and today it sang to me as I made my way back home for another well-deserved cup of coffee and more stories to tell.

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY